Good business partners can be difficult to find, which is why Wendy Strain, the director of consulting services for Polaris Group, is a bright light in a crowded field.
States with nursing home direct-care spending rules grapple with complex costs
By
Josh Henreckson
May 23, 2024
At a time when staffing and funding regulations for nursing homes are ramping up at both the state and federal levels, one state is reconsidering its demands on long-term care spending.
OIG writing compliance guidebook to assist nursing home sector, hints at focus areas
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 19, 2024
The federal government’s top watchdog is working on sector-specific guides to assist nursing homes in keeping in compliance with federal regulations. Particular attention will be given to some challenging...
Bake sale-supported nursing home now pursues ‘fairer’ memory care swaps for survival
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 05, 2024
A Rhode Island nursing home that had turned to a grassroots funding campaign that included a resident-run bake sale to avoid closure has announced a new plan to stabilize finances and remain open.
Medicare audits ‘ramping up’ with isolation coding in the crosshairs
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 22, 2024
Auditors are paying special attention to isolation and quarantine coding amid already heightened Medicare nursing home audits that are expected to increase in coming months, experts warn.
Task force recommends state reduce reliance on nursing homes
By
Josh Henreckson
May 15, 2024
A new report on the state of long-term care in New Jersey has suggested sweeping changes to policy points of emphasis, regulations and financial incentives in the sector — drawing a mixture of reactions...
CMS adds enhanced barrier precautions to infection control guidance
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 22, 2024
Nursing homes must begin to use enhanced barrier precautions to prevent broader transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms and to help protect patients with chronic wounds and indwelling devices, the...
[UPDATED] BREAKING: CMS proposes 4.1 percent nursing homes pay boost; staffing minimum not addressed
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 29, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Thursday proposed a 4.1% pay increase for nursing homes in fiscal 2025 but declined to issue an update on its staffing minimum proposal as part of its annual...
Layering of fines amid state, federal staffing rule conflicts tops providers’ worry list
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 02, 2024
Providers in states that have recently increased their own nursing home staffing requirements may soon find themselves playing a complicated penalties and numbers game — and buried in additional paperwork.
Ensign, Cascadia and Sun Mar execs: Employee-led companies positioned to maximize opportunities
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 19, 2024
Giving employees more of a role in leading their companies — and acting on both their bright ideas and their criticisms — will help shepherd quality skilled nursing providers as the sector rapidly...